Come be part of something great! Click to see exciting job opportunities with the City of Winter Haven and apply today at www.mywinterhaven.com.
Jobs include Building Inspector, Engineering Designer, Capital Improvements Project Administrator, and more!
All positions currently accepting applications are listed in the link under job postings. Applications can be completed online or in person at our Human Resources Office at 500 Third Street NW. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Human Resources Team at 863-291-5650 or [email protected].
The Central Park Basketball Court will be closed for repairs June 25-27.
Please use the Basketball Court at the Albertus Maultsby Community Center while we repair the basketball fence. Once the Central Park Basketball Court is back open signs will be removed from the court, and we will post on social media when it is safe for play! We apologize for any inconvenience.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) will soon have a new joint warehouse and facility to store evidence, emergency supplies, and offices now that Polk County Commissioners have approved an agreement for architectural & engineering services with an architectural firm.
At their regular meeting on Tues, June 17, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved an agreement with The Lunz Group, LLC to provide for the design, permitting, bidding, and construction administration of a new facility and warehouse for the PCSO.
The proposed project will include the following three components:
An 80,000-square-foot warehouse for property and evidence storage that includes 15,000 square feet of office space for the Sheriff’s Office.
A 10,000-square-foot emergency supply storage to support shelters or any other storm-related need
A 10,000 square foot for the Facilities Management administration office.
“The new warehouse will allow the Sheriff’s Office to combine its three existing storage locations into one central location in Bartow, Florida,” wrote Tabatha Shirah, Procurement Analyst, in the agenda item memo.
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“Centralizing the storage operations of the Sheriff’s Office will provide for a more secure location while increasing the efficiency of tracking all items that are stored at the warehouse,” she continued.
The project will also include offices for Polk County Facilities Management “to replace 3 existing buildings which have reached the end of their useful life” and a warehouse to provide storage for emergency supplies “that might be needed during the declaration of an emergency.”
Per the agreement, The Lunz Group will provide design, permitting, bidding, and construction administration services, all of which are expected to be completed within 450 days.
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County commissioners motioned, seconded, and voted unanimously to approve the agreement.
A tragic crash on Tuesday afternoon claimed the life of a 36-year-old Plant City woman after her vehicle struck a guardrail, hit a concrete wall, and caught fire.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident occurred at approximately 12:05 p.m. on the westbound entrance ramp to Interstate 4 from Kathleen Road.
The driver, operating a Chevy Blazer, lost control while attempting to merge onto the interstate. The vehicle veered into a guardrail, ricocheted off, then collided with a concrete barrier. Upon impact, the vehicle ignited.
Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene. The woman was airlifted to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Tragically, she later succumbed to those injuries.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the incident. The name of the driver has not yet been released pending next-of-kin notification.
Sergeant Steve Gaskins with the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed details of the crash
Hot. Fresh. Now open. We’re excited to welcome Pizza Hut to Forest Lake in Davenport — serving up classics you know and love, right in your neighborhood.
Whether you dine in, carry out, or get it delivered — the pizza just got a little closer to home.
Are you watering on the right days? Winter Haven has an irrigation schedule in place that limits watering to 1–2 days per week—and for good reason.
Nearly 38% of our drinking water is used just for irrigation. Sticking to the schedule helps conserve water, protect our supply, and lower your utility bill.
Every drop matters—especially when it’s drinkable.
Check your watering days and get tips here: https://ow.ly/LiRA50W8rEv
A major residential fire broke out Monday evening at a home located at 711 Lafayette Lane in Haines City, sending thick black smoke and flames into the sky and prompting a heavy emergency response.
The fire was first reported at 7:39 p.m., with both Haines City Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue responding to the scene. According to the PulsePoint dispatch system, numerous units were assigned to the fire, including engines, ladder trucks, and medical response teams.
By 8:16 p.m., flames were still visibly engulfing part of the structure, with smoke pouring into the air as seen in eyewitness photos taken from the neighborhood. Emergency crews remained on scene working to bring the fire under control.
At this time, there is no official word on the cause of the fire or whether there were any injuries. The home sits in a densely populated residential area, and neighbors reported seeing flames from blocks away.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available
Roger Carroll Anderson, 99, beloved father to Susan (Ray) Mathews of Winter Haven and Carol (Paul) Bohac of Panama City, grandfather to Ashley (Russell), Erika, Dana, Nicole and LaVaughn, great-grandfather to Abigail and Caleb and uncle to dear nieces and nephews. Roger was reunited with his wife of 55 years, Marilyn and got to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when he died peacefully on June 7, 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, parents Oscar & Laura Anderson, in-laws Robert & Vivian Smith, brother Wendell (Cleo) Anderson, and grandson Joshua David Mathews.
Roger was born on December 19, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois. He proudly served in the US Army supporting the European front of WWII returning to the states on the final day of the war. After the war he moved with his parents to Winter Haven to open a Dairy Queen in 1950. Roger bought out the franchise and officially opened Andy’s Igloo in 1964.
Roger and Marilyn were the owner operators of the iconic Winter Haven landmark for nearly 40 years when they retired in 1988. Roger was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work and devotion to faith, family and our country.
Listing details: PRICE IMPROVEMENT!! EXTRA, EXTRA, Read all about it!! Don’t Miss this Cozy 3 Bedroom/2 Bathroom Home in the Quiet Heritage Landings Community. This home features matching Stainless Steel Appliances, Granite Counters, Stylish Shaker Cabinets, Kitchen Island with Breakfast Bar. The open floor plan allows natural light to flow through giving a bright and spacious living space. Several updates include Recently Repainted Exterior, Fresh Paint in Living Room and Kitchen, Under Cabinet Lighting in the Kitchen, Glass Backsplash, Hanging Lights over the Island, Ceiling Fans, New Microwave, New Washer & Dryer that convey and the list goes on. The primary suite includes a private ensuite bathroom with Dual Sinks, Granite Counters, Walk-In Shower and spacious Walk-In Closet. This desirable 55+ community has everything…Community Pool, Fitness Center, Pickle Ball Court, Recreational Facilities, and a Clubhouse all for you to enjoy! Enjoy the pond views from your screened lanai or stroll along the sidewalks throughout the community and take in all the lush green landscaping and fountains all maintained by the community. Seller is including SimpliSafe home security system with glass break sensors and window/door open sensors. Pest Control & Lawn Maintenance are included! This neighborhood is just minutes from the Polk Parkway, Lakeside Village, and almost everything Lakeland has to offer! Schedule your private showing today!!
